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Friday, August 27, 2010

Gertie's New BOOK for Better Sewing!

Wow. Big news today, readers: it seems that I have gotten a book deal based on this little blog. That's right! It's with many excited butterflies in my stomach that I announce that I am very lucky to call STC Craft/Melanie Falick Books my new book publishing home. This has been in the works for some time, and I've been dying to tell you all about it. Now that I can, I feel quite overwhelmed by it! Let me start from the beginning and tell you how this all came about.

Earlier this year, I got an e-mail from a craft book agent named Caroline Greeven, asking if I would be interested in talking about a book project with her. It turned out that she's represented some of my favorite craft books, like the Built by Wendy series and the Alabama Chanin books. So, of course, I was eager to talk to her.

Caroline and I connected right away and then pretty much got right to work. And she was wonderful, helping me take the kernel of an idea and turn it into a detailed, 40-page book proposal. Fast forward to this July, and the proposal was ready to send out. I went on a series of meetings with craft book publishers, all of which were fascinating in their own way. I was especially excited to meet Melanie Falick at Abrams/STC Craft. Who doesn't love her gorgeous, beautifully made craft books? (Like Weekend Sewing, Last Minute Knitted Gifts, and Alabama Studio Style, just to name a few.) Melanie and I definitely hit it off, and she is such a pro at this kind of book. So I was absolutely thrilled when she was the one who ended up acquiring the project, with the deal sealed just this week!

You might be asking: but what is this book going to be? Good question! The tentatively titled Gertie’s New Book for Better Sewing will be a modern guide to couture-style sewing using basic vintage techniques. I've always emphasized the use of good reference books on this blog, and that's what this will be! It is going to be packed with the kind of construction details that you see in an impeccably made vintage suit or dress: like hand-picked zippers, bound buttonholes, and padstitched collars. Secondly, it will be a retro-stylish pattern book, featuring 10 customizable wardrobe essentials inspired by Vogue’s New Book for Better Sewing (made and modeled by yours truly!), as well as instructions for adapting vintage and contemporary patterns. It will have lots of fun sidebars throughout, on everything from vintage sewing machines to feminism to retro foundation garments. Basically, all the stuff that you've come to expect from my blog, in book form!

I've got to say, it feels decidedly surreal to know that I'll be the author of a sewing book, especially from such a well-regarded craft imprint. My emotions flicker spastically between ecstatic glee and nervous incredulity. After all, I'm certainly not a sewing expert in the traditional sense of the word. But I hope I've proved that I'm a passionate and tireless student of the subject. And, above all, I hope my book will make you feel how my favorite sewing books make me feel: inspired and ready to tackle new challenges and create beautiful things.

The next year will be a whirlwind of creating the book and I couldn't be more excited. It will most likely release in fall 2012, which probably seems far away but I have a feeling it will be here before we know it!

So that's my big news, readers. I want to thank each and everyone of you! This wouldn't have happened without the blog's success, and the blog's success wouldn't have happened without you. Here's to an exciting new chapter!

Wow, congratulations! What an exciting news. I am a relatively new reader of your blog, but could already see how talented you are. Looking forward to the release of your book, I'm definately interested in getting a copy!

I am so excited for you. My daughter and I own a fabric store in a small town and we have had fun following your blog and telling our customers about it. We will be thrilled to stock your book as soon as it's available. Thanks to you and some other dedicated bloggers we are seeing so many people become interested in garment sewing again. Bravo!PS...If you feel like coming to Minnesota for a book signing we'll throw you a great party.

congratulations! i'm definitely going to get that, sounds like a very useful book! i've started sewing a while ago but i'm just getting the hang of it.. and now some friends (who are quite new at sewing) and me will be having sewing nights this winter, to help each other and make pretty stuff. we're already planning our first fabric shopping trip!

Congratulations, Gertie! How exciting. I find that you write excellent tutorials, and I think you'll do a smash-up job of writing a great sewing primer/reference exactly because you are not a traditionally molded sewing expert. You've done your share of book learning and figure-it-out and I think it makes you excellent at instructing others. Good luck with that little bump called writing it!

Congratulations, Gertie! That's awesome news (though I am not even a tiny bit surprised, considering that you write so well, provide such consistently excellent content, and have such a deep passion for your craft).

Congratulations! Wow, this is so exiting! I'm definitley getting your book when it's released, I've often thought that I would have loved to have your wonderful sewing technique posts in book-form, abd here's the answer to my dreams! =)

Good luck with the writing, I'm sure it's going to be amazing (both the bokk and the making of it =) )

congrats! You do deserve this. You work so hard on your blog posting something new and always inspiring and funny and personal. I look forward to the book the same way I look forward to reading your poasts every morning.

Hurrah! I'm so excited for you and can't wait to see the result. Your book is one I will definitely be buying as you are so good at making things approachable and easy to understand. Congratulations, you really deserve it.

Congratulations! I'm so happy for you. It's already on my wish list. I have complete faith in you that book will be as useful, witty and inspiring as your blog is. And let's face it, anything with lovely vintage inspired outfits in and great sewing know-how is always going to be a hit with this crowd. I'm counting the days till its release with baited breath...

Congratulations! I can't think of anyone who deserves it more. Wow two published authors in the family! How cool is that! I hope this doesn't mean though that you'll be sewing less. I do love to see your new creations.

gertie, that is AMAZING. i am simultaneously jealous and proud (or, as proud as someone can be for someone they don't personally know ;). i normally think "blog books" are dumb and overratted, but i have no doubt that this one is actually going to be fun and full of useful information and oh god i need to preorder my copy as soon as it becomes available.

congratulations!! this is a big deal and you should be every bit as excited as you possibly can :D

It sounds like a book I'd love to own....fortunately in the meantime I have your blog, and as a relatively new reader I still have a lot of archives to read. Congratulations, I can't wait 'til it's out!

Oh Gertie that is duch fantastic news. You are my online resource book at the mo. If I can't figure something out I usually check if you've posted about it before looking elsewhere. I think a book full of your help and advice will be brilliant!! I will certainly be adding it to my library :o)

I am so excited for you. I cannot wait to get my hands on your new book. Fall/2012, please hurry. This is just amazing. Did you ever in your life think something like this would happen? You are living a dream. Of course, you have worked very hard on your blog and deserve nothing less. My sincere congratulations.

Thought you might enjoy this funny take on fifties fashions, courtesy of one of our contemporary cartoonist-bloggers. ...BTW, congratulations! http://uncleeddiestheorycorner.blogspot.com/2010/08/womens-fashion-in-50s.html

Cibgrats! That is amazing! It couldn't have happened to a sweeter or more deserving blogger! I love your approach to, not only sewing, but blogging. You talk to us like we're colleagues and not students and genuinely seem interested in learning as much from us as we do from you! Before you get rocketed into craft book super stardom, make sure you pull a few books aside and sign them for us OG blog readers! Congrats again, Gertie!

About time! For months I've been thinking, 'Why hasn't a publisher offered Gertie a book deal yet? Are they all crazy?' You and your loved one are both going to be published. How exciting is that! Very well deserved. And your knowledge of the publishing industry will undoubtedly help in this process.

OMG Gertie, I'm gonna cry!!! This is so exciting, mainly because I have felt a need for this kind of book to enhance everything I read about on your blog. I still can't wrap my mind around a hand-picked zipper. Waiting until 2012 will be difficult for me... Congratulations on your very well deserved news!

I am so, so happy for you Gertie! A dream come true. You are truly an inspiration for me. I had essentially lost interest in garment sewing and fashion until I discovered you and one or two others in blog-world. I have always loved sewing but lost the passion, the inspiration. I am older than many of your followers, I am sure, however, I still like to look put-together and fashionable, even alone in my home. Your enthusiasm and skill translates well to this format but I cannot wait to see the book! Best of luck to you.

That's really tremendous news - congratulations! I can't wait to buy it - I know it'll be beautiful and useful. You're really great at explaining tricky technical things in ordinary language - you'll make us all better at sewing!

EXCITING! I'll DEFINITELY buy it! I'm so happy for you, congratulations! It sounds like the exact type of reference book that I would love to add to my collection. I will be waiting for it with excitement!

Oh my god that is SO exciting! I've always thought you should write a book, you explain things so well! You have a talent for making even the most laborous techniques sound do-able and fun!Congratulations! That's wonderful news - I will 100% be buying a copy!

WOW!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!! This is kind like the american film "Julia and Julia" , I mean, you started your blog because you wanted to sew all what the Vogue Book says, and now you will print a book!!! perhaps soon there will be a film!!I'm sure you will have a big succes, not every women who like to sew can get online to read your blog, with your book those women will have the chance to learn as us from you.One more time CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

Oh! Let me add my name to this long list of folks saying Congratulations! You've earned this with good sewing knowledge shared and paired with wonderful writing...two skills you've joined together. I'm so happy for you!

Congratulations, Gertie! You're a great teacher, and there's definitely a market for learning fine sewing skills, particularly with the emphasis on vintage. I'll be buying your book as soon as it's out. I also think you could do a wonderful tv show, but one thing at a time, hm?

Just reading your basic description makes me want this book right now! I have vintage sewing encyclopedias but this sounds like the perfect complement, not competition. I'm sure the next year will just fly by.

OMG that's so amazing - congratulations!!! My sister's working on her wedding dress and I kept recommending to look at your blog for this technique and that (I believe she's now as big a fan as I am). Seriously, many congratulations, and I can't wait to order a copy!

omg Congratulations Gertie! If there is anybody who deserves a book deal it is you; I am realy grateful for all the time you put into making tutorials, construction posts and vlogs for the blog. I have a few sewing books, but they pretty much all lack well-written instructions. I know that your book will become the new reference book for modern sewers of vintage, and I'm excited to get a copy!

I am so happy for you, you totally deserve it. Out of all the sewing blogs out there I enjoy yours the most, so I know the book will be great. But, don't go getting a big head and forget about us...lol. congrats

Well done. I've been a silent but delighted follower for many months, but couldn't resist commenting today. As a fellow STC Craft/Melanie Falick author (Kids Weaving), I know first hand that you'll create a glorious book and have a fascinating, intense and life-changing next two years. But then your life has done a bit of shifting in the last two, hasn't it?

Way to go girlie--my grandmother called me that endearment even when I was well past the 'girl' stage of development. I am so proud to say I know two authors and I bet I can even get them to autograph their books for me! Wow! WoW! WOW!

So thrilled for you, and perhaps even more thrilled for me that all this knowledge will be collected into one book! Now to get my skills up to being able to make use of the book by the time it's published!